Conveyer.



No. 731,003. PATENTED JUNE 16, 1903. F. R. WILLSON, Jn.

GONVEYER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 18, 1900.

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F. R. WILLSON, JR.

GONVEYER.

APPLICATION nun MAY 18. 1900.

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UNITED STATES Fatented June s, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

FREEMAN R. WILLSON,'JR., OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, AssIcNOa TO JOSEPIIA,

- J FFRE OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

CONVEY'ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part cf Letters Patent No. 731,003, dated June 16, 1903.

Application filed May 18, 1900.

Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Conveyers, of which the followingisaspecification,reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in conveying devices of the class in which use is made of a series of hoes, scrapers, or flights which are reciprocated or moved back and forth, together with a carrier or support, to which the flights are pivotally connected.

Figure 1 is a side view of a portion of a conveying apparatus sufficient to illustrate the manner of embodying my invention, the trough being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3 shows a hoe, scraper, or

flight detached in side view. Fig. 4: showsthe same in face view. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 6 is a cross-section on the line 00aof Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a side View illustrating one means for holding the carrier in position. Fig. 8 is a similar view showing another means for such purpose. Fig. 9 is an elevation showing an apparatus embodying my invention arranged for operation for the piling of coal or other material.

In the drawings, Aindicates a cable formed of strands of wire, such as is frequently used in rope haulage. To these are secured at suitable intervals peculiarly-constructed attachments which permit the securing in place of the flights, scrapers, or hoes, they being indicated as entireties at B B. Each attachment is formed with a clamp and a journal. As shown, these parts are provided by casting the attachment in halves b I). These have end parts 0 O and an intermediate central journal part C The end parts 0 O can be securely clamped to the cable by means of the bolts at B,ears I) being cast on the clamps for receiving the bolts. At cl are flanges or shoulders, these being at the ends of the journal part C Between these flanges and upon the journal is fitted the carrier for the flight or holder. This carrier is composed in the construction shown of the two parts E and E. The part E is hinged or pivotally connected Serial No. 17.107. (N0 model.)

to the journal C it having a box-like portion ally connected to the part E, having one or 7 more arms a hinged to the eyes 6 by the pivotpin or bolt- H. The Web part c is fastened to the back of the scraper or flight L.

G is a stop-arm on the flight-carrier, preferably formed, as shown, by casting it integral with the part E. other part that in its path around the hinge at H it impinges upon the end part b of the clamp, the latter being extended somewhat at the rear to provide this stop portion 11 One of the objectsof the present invention is to overcome the difficulties that have been incident to conveyer constructions of this sort having a single central longitudinal carrier analogous to the cable A, these difficulties under many circumstances, especially where the cables are long, being such that it isim possible to successfully use a single central carrier or support, and two eccentric-rods or frame-bars have been'required in order to prevent the torsion or twisting action and the consequent lateral displacement of the flights. With a construction similar to that herein such torsion is entirely obviated,the connection between the flight and the cable or longitudinal carrier A being such that any lateral motion of either is not felt by the other. It is well known that great economy is attained in the conveyors of considerable length by the employment of wire cable as the support for the flights; but to such a support particularly are incident the difficulties referred to, because of the constant tendency of the strands to cause a twisting and torsion. With devices of the sort I have herein presented I first elfect a firm connection to the cable by means of the two-part grip or clamp and then secure a flexibility which is practically universal in the joint of the flight. Consequently such a mechanism is adapted for use either in connection with a trough or fixed guideway, such as frequently used in It is so related to the these conveyers, or without such a guide for the material, as in forming piles of coal, slack, sand, &c.

It will be observed that the carrier or support A and the flights or scrapers which are secured thereto and carried thereby are supported entirely independently of any trough or fixed guideway.

, The carrier or support A can beheld in the desired normal position by means of counterweights properly applied at the ends thereof, as shown in Fig. 7, or the cable when used can be made endless, the two end parts of the conveyer being supported upon wheels, to one of which the power can be applied, as shown in Fig. 8, or the conveyer can be actuated by applying the power directly to the cable independently of the wheels. When no trough or guide for the material is employed, the flights will by their own gravity tend to assume their normal position. If obstructions are met by them and they are turned upon the axis lougitudinal of the conveyer, they can swing under the influence of such obstructions and after passing them again assume their proper relative positions, and because of the flexibility of their joints no one of them will when thus moving laterally tend to throw any of the others out of working position.

The means for supporting the cable at its ends may be of various characters. In Fig. 7 wheels I I are employed, oscillation being imparted to the wheel I by crank-and-pitman mechanism J K. The cable is attached to thewheel I at i and passes over the wheel I to a weight or weights W. The flights or hoes L reciprocate in a trough or chute N, receiving the material at the end next; to the wheel I and delivering it at the other. In Fig. 8 the weight is dispensed with, the cable being returned over the wheel I to the wheel I, where it is attached at 2" either to said wheel or to the other end of the cable at t'.

In mounting the apparatus for operation the trough and conveying devices maybe inclined-for instance, as shown in Fig. 9- with the delivery end elevated for piling material. For this purpose the wheel I may be carried on a mast T. The material may be fed to the trough N through a hopper O. The driving mechanism is located at the-lower, accessible, and receiving end of the conveyer, comprising, for example, an eccentric It for reciprocating the pitman K on a shaft K, which shaft is rotated by a pulley mand belt or chain M from a suitable motor. (Not shown.)

In operation the flights L will be drawn backward, each swinging up to permit it to pass over the charge of material which was advanced by the one next behind it, soas not to displace such material. The flights are suspended with respect to the centers of gravity in such way that in moving backward they exert no pressure on the material; but when starting forward they instantly exert full pressure behind the charges successively of the material.

The mode of operation and the advantages incident to the present mechanism will be readily understood. 'I avoid the necessity of the longand expensive carriers which are used in some of the earlier constructions. When continuously-moving endless chains, cables, &c., are employed, they have to be carried over long distances and consume much power. In the present case the path of motion is limited and no material amount; of power is consumed except where work is being performed; Again, when the continuously-moving endless carriers are used the power has to be applied at that end of the mechanismwhich is most remote from the point of loading, and if the carrier is extended to a high point such application of the power is accomplished only by complicated and expensive mechanism. A conveyer of the present sort can have the power applied to it at the receiving end to the fullest advantage, and this is the lowest end, and the one adjacent to the other machinery forming the plant either where coal is mined and screened or Where it is handled and stored in large quantities. v

The preferred embodiment of my invention is one in which a cable serves as the longitudinal support for the flights, said cable being arranged, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9,

with both of its ends connected to the prime power device, which I have indicated as being a wheel or pulley I. In this arrangement the cable may be said to be composed of two laps or lengths, to one of which the flights are secured, while the other operates to transmit the power for advancing the material. I prefer to arrange the prime power device in rear of the flights and to combine therewith means which transmit the power therefrom to the cable in advance of the flights. Thus in Fig. 8 the prime power device is, as stated, the oscillating wheel I, and the means for transmitting the power to the cable in advance of the flights is the wheel I and the upper lap of the cable. In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 9 the weight W is part of the powertransmitting means.

In using a cable as the longitudinal support for the flights it may be and usually is extended to a point beyond the flights, as represented in Fig. 9, so as to constitute a section to which the flights may be successively added as circumstances require, and the power which advances the loadis applied through this extended section of the cable. In the piling of coal and the like itis preferable to locate the motor or prime power devices at the lower end of the conveyer and to have the projecting section of the cable at; the upper end and to arrange at the upper end of the conveyer the oscillating powertransmitting means through which the power is transmitted from the prime power device ICO for advancing the load. WVhen so arranged, the separate elevated frame, such as that at T, which sustains the upper portion of the-inclined conveyer, operates to hold the flights and their support against the downward strains due to theinclination of the conveyer. Thus the carrying-frame for the lower end of the conveyer is largely relieved of weight and strains.

WVhat I claim is- 1. In a reciprocating conveyer, the combination with a longitudinally-arranged support,of the longitudinally-swinging and transversely-swinging flight, substantially as set forth.

2. In a reciprocating conveyer, the combination with the longitudinally-arrangedreciprocating carrier or support, of the flight hinged thereto to swing bodily forward and back longitudinally thereof, and also hinged thereto, substantially as set forth, to swing transversely around the support. 7

3. In a reciprocating conveyer, the combination of the longitudinally-arianged carrier or support, the flight and the flight-carrier having a hinge longitudinal of the support, and a hinge transverse, to the support, substantially as set forth.

4. In a reciprocating con veyer, the combination of the longitudinally-arranged carrier or support, the flight and the flight-carrier having a hinge longitudinal of the support, and a supplemental transverse hinge adapted to swing around the axis of the longitudinal hinge, substantially as set forth.

5. In a reciprocating conveyer, the combination of the longitudinally-arranged carrier or support, the flight adapted to swing longitudinally of the support and to rock transversely thereof, and a stop for the flight arranged to abut against the support in either of the several positions of the flight around the support, substantially as set forth.

6. In a reciprocating conveyer, the combination of the longitudinally-arranged carrier or support, the flight adapted to swing longitudinally of the support and to rock transversely thereof,anda stop for the fiightadapted to rock around the support, substantially as set forth.

7. In a reciprocating conveyer, the combination of thecentral longitudinally-arranged carrier or support, the attachment surrounding and rigidly secured to the said support, the flight, and the two-part flight-carrier, the longitudinal hinge connecting said carrier to the attachment and the transverse hinge connecting together i he two parts of the carrier, substantially as set forth.

8. In a reciprocating conveyer, the combination' of the longitudinally -arranged support, the clampsurrounding and secured to the support, the flight,the two-part flight-carrier having one of its parts surrounding and vibrating on the clamp, and the hinge unit ing together the two parts of the carrier, substantially as set forth.

9. In a reciprocating conveyer, the combination of the longitudinally-arranged support, the flight,the clamp detachably and rig-. idly secured to the support and provided with a hinge-like journal, the carrier between the flight and the support-hinged to said journal, and the stop interposed between the clamp and the flight, substantially as set forth.

10. In a reciprocating conveyer the combination of the longitudinally-arranged support, the clamp detac'hably secured to the support, the flight, the flight-carrier hinged to the support so as to rock transversely thereof, and the stop secured to the flight and adapted to impinge upon the clamp, substantially as set forth.

idly secured to the cable or flexible support,-

and the flight-carrier having a hinge between it and the clamp, said hinge having an axis substantially parallel to the flexible support, substantially as set forth.

12. In a reciprocating conveyer, the combination of the cable-like or flexible support, the clamp formed in two separable parts held firmly against the cable and provided with a journal part and a stop part, the flight, the transverse hinge for the flight, the bearing for the flight engaging with said journal and a stop for the flight bearing against said stop part of the clamp, substantially as set forth.

13. In a reciprocating conveyer, an endless longitudinally-reciprocating cable and longitudinally-reciprocating flights carried by said cable and adapted to swing forward and back relative thereto, and means connecting the flight to the cable, substantially as set forth.

14. In a reciprocating conveyer, the combination of a longitudinally-arranged support, forwardly-swingingconveyingdevicescarried thereby, means for holding the end of the support remote from that end at which the material or load is received, and means for reciprocating the support connected operatively with the latter at the receiving end of the conveyer.

15. In a reciprocating conveyer, the combination of a flexible support, longitudinallyswingiug flights secured thereto, means for maintaining the flexible support under tension and means for reciprocating the said support, substantially as set forth.

16. In a reciprocating conveyer, the combination of a flexible support, longitudinallyswinging flights secured thereto, means for maintain'ingthe flexible support under tension, and means for reciprocating the cable connected therewith near the feed end of the conveyer, substantially as set forth.

17. In a reciprocating conveyer, the combination of a flexible longitudinal support,

means for reciprocating the same, means for supporting the same arranged at the extreme ends of the said support, and longitudinallyswinging flights secured to the said longitudinal support, substantially as set forth.

18. In a reciprocating conveyer, the combination of a flexible longitudinal support, means for reciprocating the same, longitudinally-swinging flights secured to the support, a material-guide adjacent to which the flights operate and means for supporting the said longitudinal support, which are themselves supported independently of the materialguide, substantially as set forth.

19. In a reciprocating conveyer, the com bination of a longitudinal supp0rt,'a longitudinally-swinging flight, and a hinge connection between the flight and the said longitudinal support, the axis of the hinge being substantially parallel with the axis of the longitudinal support, substantially as set forth.

20. In a reciprocating conveyer, the combination of a longitudinal support, a longitudinally-swinging flight, and a hinge connection between the flight and the longitudinal support, the axis of such hinge connection being substantially coincident with the axis of the longitudinal support at the place of connection, substantially as set forth.

21. In a conveyor, the combination of a longitudinal support, flights, hinge connections between the flights and the said support, the axis of each connection being arranged to permit oscillation of its flight transverse to the direction of movement of the support, and means for holding the flights when in working position from free oscillation, substantially as set forth.

22. In a conveyer, the combination of a reciprocating cable, a power device to which both ends of the cable are secured, means for holding the cable in working position, and flights secured to the cable, substantially as set forth. I

23. Inaconveyer the combination ofa cable havingtwolaps connected to each other,flights secured to one of the laps, and ,a device for applying power connected with the other lap, substantially as set forth.

24:. In a conveyor the combination of a series of flights, a flexible longitudinal support for the flights, a power device arranged in rear of the series of flights and means for transmitting power, for moving the load forward, to the flight-support in front of the series of flights, substantially as set forth.

' 25. In a conveyor the combination of a series of swinging flights, a flexible longitudinal support to which each flight is hinged having a section extended to a distance beyond the series of flights, the said section being arranged to receive additional flights, and a power-transmitting means connected to the said section of the support which extends beyond the series of flights, substantially as set forth.

26. In a conveyor the combination of a series of flights, a flexible longitudinal support therefor, a primary power mechanism arranged at one end of the support, and a powertransmitting device arranged at the other end of the support and receiving its power from the said primary power mechanism.

27. In aconveyer the combination of an upwardly-inclined series of swinging flights, a longitudinal support for the flights, a sustaining-frame for the lower end of the support and a separate elevated frame for the upper end of the support arranged to sustain the flights and their support against the downward strains due to their inclination, substantially as set forth.

28. In aconveyer the combination of an upwardly-inclined series of flights, a reciprocating support for the flights, a sustaining-frame for the lower end of the support, an upwardlyinclined trough or guide for the material arranged adjacent to the flights, an elevated frame for sustaining the upper end of the flight-support, power mechanism at the lower end of the support, and power-transmitting devices at the upper end of the reciprocating flight-support, substantially as set forth.

29. In a conveyor the combination of a series of reciprocating flights, an oscillating primary power device at one end of, the said series of flights, an oscillating power-transmitting device arranged at the other end of the series of flights, a cable-section connected with the flights and extending from the primary power device to the power-transmitter and asecond cable-section extending from the power-transmitter to the primary power device, substantially as set forth.

30. In a conveyer, the combination of a series of reciprocating flights, a primary power device at one end of the series of flights, acable connected to the series of flights, and a guide for the cable, the said cable extending from the primary power device to the said cable-guide and back therefrom to the primary power device, and having both of its ends connected with the said power device, substantially as set forth.

31. In a reciprocating conveyer, the combination of a flexible support, means for advancing the material secured thereto, means for maintaining the flexible support under- FREEMAN R. WILLSON, JR.

Witnesses:

A. D. DONHAM, O. A. Doors. 

